We're still weeks away from the hard-core judging on American Idol New faces Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are still adjusting to their new gigs. But viewers, bloggers and anyone near a TV have been weighing in nonstop on the show's reboot.

The consensus? Tyler is a hoot, Lopez is a softie (with potential) and Randy Jackson has a real opportunity to, finally, become a valuable player. Of course, things may change once the live shows get under way March 1. (Auditions continue through Feb. 10, followed by rounds in Hollywood and Las Vegas.)

"Last year, it seemed like everyone was trying too hard to stand out. Maybe they were jockeying for position knowing that Simon Cowell was out of there."

But now that Cowell is gone, he doesn't seem to be missed.

"I like the positivity toward the contestants. In other words - Simon who," says Dave Morales, a DJ on KHMX (96.5 FM) who regularly reports on Idol "After only a few episodes of the new season, I have to say I am definitely liking the changes."

Some of the Web's most dedicated Idol bloggers weigh in on what we've seen so far and have hope for the rest of the season:

Jennifer Lopez

"JLo is pretty much what I expected - sweet, with a patina of caring," says MJ Santilli, the force behind mjsbigblog.com. "I'm not sure I buy that whole can't-say-no deal. It feels like shtick to me.

"If she can forget about what people think of her, or how it will affect her record sales, Jennifer could shine as the street-smart, truth-telling judge."

Idol could also be a big career boost for the once-hot pop star. Lambada-sampling single On the Floor is getting decent buzz, and her unfortunate fall during November's American Music Awards seems to have been forgotten. She'll likely bloom once the live shows start. Just a little more Jenny from the block, please.

"If she acted like the diva she's rumored to be and was sort of a Simon-a Cowell, it would be must-see TV," says Lyndsey Parker, Yahoo! Music's managing editor and Reality Rocks columnist.

GRADE: B-

Steven Tyler

"Steven has just the right amount of crazy that's been missing since Paula left the show," says Peter McCarthy, who runs Idol360.org. "He definitely grew on me. He knows what he is talking about and doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks - even when he's hitting on 15-year-old singers.

"It will be fun seeing him live on TV. I hope the censors have their bleep buttons ready."

Tyler has proven more entertaining in a few shows than full seasons of Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres combined. There's no denying his credentials and his loose-cannon likability. He also seems to truly care about the contestants.

But will Tyler be able to sustain the energy during the grueling Hollywood weeks and live shows? We'll see.

GRADE: B+

Randy Jackson

In the past, Jackson's influence was eclipsed by Simon Cowell's brashness and the tao of Paula. But as the last remaining judge of the original panel, he's in a unique position. It's up to him to make the most of it.

"Randy is usually at his best during auditions," Santilli says. "He said yes to Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry while Simon said no."

McCarthy thinks Jackson "always wanted to be the star of the show." But he's in for an uphill climb with longtime viewers.

"It's no secret that most of the Twitter universe thinks he's useless as a judge," McCarthy says. "If he drops some of the 'Yo, dawg' and offers some constructive comments, he might come out of this with some fans."